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Recommendations for a ~$1200 Gaming PC build

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  • New Build
  • Gaming
  • Computers
  • Build
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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September 26, 2014 2:18:59 PM

Hello all,

I am currently planning on building a new computer to replace my 4 year old computer and would really appreciate help to get an efficient build.

First, my heavy uses are mostly for gaming, but usually cpu intensive strategy games, e.g. Sword of the Stars 2 and Supreme Commander, to be specific (also play online games like FF14 or LOL). On the other hand, I don't usually play fps games like Battlefield, Titan Fall and etc which have really good graphics.

Considering that, I am aiming for the i5-4690k and msi gtx 970 4GD for my cpu and graphics card. I also plan to overclock modestly as a modest overclock felt pretty easy to do even with my i5-750.


So.... the parts I have down are...
cpu
i5-4690k $236
gpu
msi gtx 970 4GD $350

cpu cooler
noctua DH-14 $75 (60 before 10/1)
cryorig R1 ultimate? universal? $90
cooler master hyper 212 plus? evo? $30

motherboard
ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer $153
ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer $125
Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO $200
ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 $150

psu
memory
case
storage
optical drive
operating system


Thus I basically need recommendations on everything else...
The cpu coolers and motherboards are the ones I saw recommended in the Q3 build marathon and on the forum, but I really do not understand what are the advantages of each and am at a loss. For the blank parts, I have 0 understanding of which is good and appropriate, which was also harder to search for... I'm guessing they also depend on the cpu and motherboard and thus decided to ask with this thread.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendations on this, even for a different cpu/gpu if you think it fits more with my uses.
Please help!

More about : recommendations 1200 gaming build

Best solution

a b 4 Gaming
September 26, 2014 2:34:55 PM

Black/Red I assumed based on the boards and the GPU:

Might want to shop around for a better case, always takes the longest, and it is more or less personal preference.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DGPCCJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DGPCCJ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($85.59 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1211.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-26 17:33 EDT-0400
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September 26, 2014 5:07:58 PM

Eximo said:
Black/Red I assumed based on the boards and the GPU:

Might want to shop around for a better case, always takes the longest, and it is more or less personal preference.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DGPCCJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DGPCCJ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty Z97 Killer ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($85.59 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX XTR 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1211.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-26 17:33 EDT-0400



Wow thanks for the fast response. I should have checked this earlier...
Is there a reason you recommended that specific cooler and motherboard over others? Or is it just the color?
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a b 4 Gaming
September 29, 2014 12:02:29 PM

That cooler is top of the mark for cooling. Don't let the picture fool you, it is just as big as the Noctua and isn't brown and tan, so yeah, basically color. It also comes in black/white, blue/white, and a few other combos.

All the Z97 and Z87 are basically just power supplies and connector break outs. More and more of the old motherboard functions are moving their way onto the chip itself. In this case the memory controllers on the CPU, and the CPU cores you end up with basically determine maximum overclock. ASUS Hero is probably the best overclocker out of the bunch, but it also costs a lot more. If there is some feature that one of the other boards has they you were interested in, get that instead, shouldn't affect the rest of the build.
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September 29, 2014 12:20:44 PM

Thanks for all the kind answers Eximo!
I will start with your recommendations. This is a great guideline to work with.
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!